New York show: Dodge unleashes 626kW Challenger

DODGE has packed the most powerful production V8 to date under the bonnet of its new Challenger SRT Demon, teaming a 2.7-litre supercharger to the Demon’s purpose-built 6.2-litre Hemi V8 for a combined output of a monstrous 626kW/1044Nm.

Set to be revealed at the New York motor show, the king of the drag strip rockets from standstill to 60 miles per hour (96.5km/h) in just 2.3 seconds, creating g-force acceleration of 1.8g and causing the front tyres to lift off the ground momentarily at take-off – a first for a production car.

Under the bonnet is a re-worked version of the Hemi V8 that powers the SRT Hellcat, but with 25 new component upgrades including the supercharger, pistons, rods, valve train and fuel injection system.

The Supercharger has grown 300cc to 2.7 litres, boost pressure has increased to 14.5psi from 11.6psi, the rpm limiter is up to 6500rpm from 6200rpm, two fuel pumps are used in place of a single pump, and air intake levels are increased thanks in part to a 45.2 square inch bonnet scoop – the largest of any production car.

Three different air intakes give the Demon an air-flow rate of 1150 cubic feet per minute, which is the largest air induction volume of any production car.

Other tweaks include a high-speed valvetrain, strengthened connecting rods and pistons, an improved lubrication system and a ‘Power Chiller’ liquid-to-air intercooler chiller system that diverts the air-conditioning refrigerant from the interior to cool the air being piped to the heat exchangers in the supercharger.

Dodge ensures that all modifications are deemed street legal, and power and torque ratings have been certified to the SAE J1349 industry standard.

The Demon rides on 18-inch wheels wrapped in massive 315/40R18 Nitto NT05R street-legal drag-spec radial tyres, that measure 12.6 inches wide and give the Demon 40 per cent more launch force than the rubber on the SRT Hellcat.

A modified TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission is fitted which delivers 18 per cent more torque multiplication over the Hellcat, and includes a TransBrake feature that locks the transmission output shaft in place to let the engine rev to 2350rpm without overpowering the brakes, which allows for a more potent launch.

To truly test the SRT Demon’s drag ability it was taken to a drag strip to participate in a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)-sanctioned quarter mile time trial, which it completed in just 9.65 seconds at 225km/h, making it the fastest quarter-mile production car in history.

After completing the sprint, the NHRA decided to ban the SRT Demon from competing in production drag races.

Production of the Demon will begin in the coming months, with only 3000 units allocated to the US and 300 to Canadian fans.

All customers who purchase a Demon will be treated to one full-day session at a high-performance driving school.

To save weight, the passenger and rear seats, as well as the audio system, insulators and deadening material and parking sensors were removed, but buyers can option the seats back for $1 each.

Its incredible speed means the SRT Demon is faster over the quarter mile than the likes of the Porsche 918 Spyder, Tesla Model S P100D, Bugatti Chiron and Ferrari LaFerrari.